Once Upon a Charming Bookshop by Heatherly Bell

Author:Heatherly Bell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-08-21T19:02:08+00:00

* * *

Noah spent the rest of the day irritated with everyone. It wasn’t fair to Tee or Finn, who had dropped by to help with inventory, otherwise known as the job that never seemed to end. Every time he thought they’d finished, they found another box of ropes or T-shirts or boat shoes.

Last night, once again, Noah had taken what he wanted without thinking or caring what anyone else thought. Not thinking of what he could risk. Of what he could lose.

He’d kissed Twyla and felt an intense pull that tugged him under.

I’m sorry, he’d said to Twyla, like he’d accidentally stepped on her foot.

Now he’d probably screwed up his friendship with Twyla, and he didn’t know how to move forward. Worse, he’d lied to her when he said he didn’t feel anything more. But this was one lie that would stay in place. She deserved someone better. Noah couldn’t give her everything she deserved. And whether right or wrong, he did not want to come in second.

And besides, Twyla had a date tomorrow night.

“Are you going out tomorrow night?” he now asked Finn.

Were Finn to have asked Twyla out, he would have surely said something to Noah first. Considering Finn knew Noah had a thing for Twyla, he’d sounded pretty negative about the whole thing.

Finn glanced up. “Why? You want to hit up the bar for a cold beer or two?”

“I meant whether you have a date with a...a lady.”

“I’m taking a break from ‘the ladies.’” Finn held up air quotes. “But hey, thanks for caring.”

“Hey, boss,” Tee said. “I’m not seeing anyone.”

“So?” Noah barked.

“In case you’ve got someone you’re trying to fix up. I’m available.” He held his arms out. “Just sayin’.”

Finn chuckled and shook his head.

“A cold beer actually sounds like a good idea,” Noah said.

It was highly likely someone there would know Some Guy. He couldn’t believe she wouldn’t even give him the name of the dude. All he could say was Some Guy better be a saint. A man just as good as Will would be today. Nothing less than Twyla deserved.

Later that night, Noah headed to his mother’s house for dinner as promised. It was nothing less than he’d earned after the stunt he’d pulled. He’d once more be reminded of Will, the perfect son, and Twyla’s first love. Just in case being in his mother’s house wouldn’t remind him enough, there were the photos she still displayed. Photos of Twyla and Will, even if their romance had been a short-lived one.

His mother’s oldest friend, Ella Mae, answered the door with a huge smile.

“Is that my son?”

Noah could hear his mother’s voice calling from the kitchen.

“Yeah, it’s me, Ma. The prodigal son returns.”

“It’s so good to see you, Noah,” Ella Mae said. “Please talk to your mother about joining us at the Almost Dead Poets Society meetings. I think it would be so good for her. Poetry is an escape for me, as you know. There’s so much to say and now I have a chance to say it.

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